Hope through the dark places

I Remember: A Tribute To My Mother-In-Law

My mother-in-law died six years ago. She had been like a second mother to me.

I remember the day we met. Neither of us knew what to expect.
We were wary until an over-sized jump suit (of all things),
showed us how silly we both were; and the ice was broken.
After that, we were friends through high times and low times,
and many in-between times.

Times like college graduation (oh how proud we both were of your son).
holiday dinners and
the births of your grand children…

Then there were the talks we had, secrets shared over lunches while shopping,
two a.m. Sundaes and the way-too-late TV shows we had to watch.

Oh, and I remember things you overlooked, like the hole in the garage door,
made by my not always well-behaved children.
And the “plan ahead” things I overlooked: like snacks for the kids on a long trip.

Gifts sent on special days,
And days made special by your gifts.
Your weekly letters with the familiar reminder to “Keep the faith”…

But, the most precious memory of all is when you said,
“I love you like my own daughter.” And you cried.
So did I, with bittersweet tears.
Bitter because we were parting once again. And sweet, for suddenly I knew
I’d always been surrounded by His Love through you.

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3 Responses

So glad to find you via Mary DeMuth’s site. Recently my mother-in-law (Ma) took her first breath in Life. We, all one hundred and fifty plus, kids & grandkids, miss her sweet smile. Through the stages of her leaving we walked through the tunnel of grief and I wrote. Wrote to vent, wrote to help, wrote to heal. The result was stories of our journey and it brought such comfort to us that it was transformed into a short book, Grieving Grace. God specializes in bringing Life from death and He did it once again. This thing we call grief is all around us and I believe God has called certain folks like yourself to deliver His healing balm. I’m sorry for going on so long, it’s just a joy to have found you. Keep up the good work, I’ll pray for you.

Sandi,
This is beautiful! I’m sure your relationship with Bill’s mom was a blessing to her as well, especially after he died. I laughed at your “secrets” for it reminded me of my relationship with Sam’s mom. I pray one day my boys marry women that I too will have this special bond.

"Words of wisdom from those who have had to walk through grief: be gracious/patient/forgiving when we forget appointments, change our minds at the last minute, don't return phone calls, act a lil' crazy."
Kelly Schleyer Powers

"You do not work through bereavement. It works through you."
Virginia Ironside,
'You'll Get Over It'-The Rage of Bereavement

"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love."
Washington Irving

"I wish you would've told me," she said, "that losing you would be like losing my life."
...taken from author, Mary De Muth's novel, The Muir House.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
Psalm 147:3

"In a world rocky with human failure, there is a land lush with divine mercy. Your Shepherd invites you there. He wants you to lie down. Nestle deeply until you are hidden, buried, in the tall shoots of his love, and there you will find rest."
...Max Lucado,Traveling Light